With Jim McNeely on piano. CD

Tracks include "Fantastic Rhythm" and "Let Nature Take Its Course", unabridged versions of "Chelsea Bridge" and "Pretty Girl", and Strayhorn's 1942 arrangements of "Something To Live For". CD

Albert Beltman and Hans Meijdam on alto saxophone, Nils Van Haften on baritone saxophone, Ab Schaap and Toon Roos on tenor saxophone, Hans-Jorg Vink, Ilja Reijngoud, and Martijn Sohier on trombone, Erik Veldkamp, Mike Booth, Peter van Soest, and Ruud Breuls on trumpet, Ack van Rooijen on flugelhorn, John Ruocco on clarinet, Rob Van Bavel on piano, Frans Van Der Hoeven on bass, and Erik Ineke on drums. CD

A very cool set, with work by players who include Albert Mangelsdorff on trombone, Ack Van Rooyen and Manfred Schoof on trumpets, Gunter Lenz on bass, Wolfgang Dauner on piano, and Rolf Kuhn, Heinz Saur, Gerd Dudek, and Emil Mangelsdorff on saxes! LP, Vinyl record album

... CD

... 78 RPM, Vinyl record

... 78 RPM, Vinyl record

The second part of a great Japanese-only session recorded in 1980 – one that features a later edition of the Great Jazz Trio – with Eddie Gomez on bass and Al Foster on drums, next to piano by usual group member Hank Jones! The set's got a hipper feel than usual for the group – partly because Jones plays Fender Rhodes on part of the record, and partly because Gomez's work on bass gives the proceedings a warm and soulful sound – that deep-flowing groove we first came to love in Eddie's work with Bill Evans and Jeremy Steig. Foster's drums are great too – and have a sense of sharpness that changes the Great Jazz Trio sound nicely. Titles include "Peedlun", "Light Listened", "Duplex", "Just Before Dawn", and "Sublime". CD

Collaboration has always been at the heart of the work of the Great Jazz Trio – and no matter what the lineup, the group is always an equally weighted, three-pointed star – one that here hits a beautiful balance between the piano of Hank Jones, drums of Elvin Jones, and bass of Richard Davis! The album's one of a few recent efforts that show the group really returning to the form of their initial late 70s genius – simple, elegant, and never overdone – but always at a level that shows that these guys don't take the "great" in their name lightly! Titles include "Blue Bossa", "Summertime", "Long Ago & Far Away", "Autumn Leaves", "Memories Of You", and "Moose The Mooche". CD

The Great Jazz Trio really stretch out here – taking each of the album's four songs at a mighty relaxed pace – which allows even more room than ever for the creative expression of Hank Jones on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Tony Williams on drums! The cover's got a slick look that might be more at home on a fusion record – but the set's all acoustic, and has this warm, personal vibe that's really tremendous – that special sound that the three legendary musicians brought to their great run of albums in this format! Titles include "Satin Doll", "My Funny Valentine", "Night In Tunisia", and "Round Midnight". CD

The Great Jazz Trio really stretch out here – taking each of the album's four songs at a mighty relaxed pace – which allows even more room than ever for the creative expression of Hank Jones on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Tony Williams on drums! The cover's got a slick look that might be more at home on a fusion record – but the set's all acoustic, and has this warm, personal vibe that's really tremendous – that special sound that the three legendary musicians brought to their great run of albums in this format! Titles include "Satin Doll", "My Funny Valentine", "Night In Tunisia", and "Round Midnight". CD

A wonderful live set from the legendary Great Jazz Trio of Ron Carter, Tony Williams, and Hank Jones – one of the group's key Japanese albums of the 70s! As the title implies, the set was recorded live at the Village Vanguard – in a setting that has the trio stretching out even more than on their already-spacious studio sides of the time. Williams is especially nice on the record – light and free on the kit, and miles away from some of his fusion work of the 70s. Jones' tones are warm and soulful, and Carter's bass work is always a treat in a setting like this. The album features a great take on "Naima", plus the tracks "Moose The Mooche", "Favors", and "12+12" – all done in nice long versions. CD

A wonderful live set from the legendary Great Jazz Trio of Ron Carter, Tony Williams, and Hank Jones – one of the group's key Japanese albums of the 70s! As the title implies, the set was recorded live at the Village Vanguard – in a setting that has the trio stretching out even more than on their already-spacious studio sides of the time. Williams is especially nice on the record – light and free on the kit, and miles away from some of his fusion work of the 70s. Jones' tones are warm and soulful, and Carter's bass work is always a treat in a setting like this. The album features a great take on "Naima", plus the tracks "Moose The Mooche", "Favors", and "12+12" – all done in nice long versions. CD

One of the most open-ended sessions ever recorded by the Great Jazz Trio of Hank Hones, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams – a live set from the Village Vanguard, and one that features them really stretching out on 4 longer tracks! Jones' work on piano is an especially nice treat here – as he's still got the poise that we know from his more restrained studio sessions, yet also seems to really loosen up with the warm rhythm accompaniment of Carter and Williams. The session features a great obscure gentle groover titled "Wind Flower", plus a really introspective take on Miles Davis' "Nardis", and the tunes "Lawra" and "Confirmation". CD

The Village Vanguard seemed to be one of the greatest settings for the Great Jazz Trio – a place where the group of Hank Jones on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Tony Williams on drums could really stretch out in the kind of loose, open lines that made their 70s albums so great! This set's the third that the trio recorded at the Vanguard – and it's very much in the best spirit of its predecessors – gently soulful, with a strong focus on the individual talents of the players, yet nary a moment of overindulgence. The set includes five long tracks – "Hi Fly", "Sophisticated Lady", "Wave", and "Softly As In A Morning Sunrise". CD

A later version of the Great Jazz Trio – still with Hank Jones on piano, but alongside Mads Vinding on bass and Billy Hart on drums – all bringing that mature Jones magic to a well-chosen batch of standards! CD

A great Tokyo meeting from this wonderful trio – and a great little record that even stands out from most of their others from the time! The set's got a surprising amount of original material by the members of the group – as each player contributes at least one title – and these compositions really help give the whole thing a very fresh, personal vibe – quite different than the more common use of standards on some of their other albums. And although Hank Jones is billed as the "owner" of the group on the title, the set is the same sort of wonderfully collaborative effort as usual – with some specially brilliant work on bass from Ron Carter, and well-chosen work on drums from Tony Williams. Titles include "Forever", "To Destiny", "Pink Lady", "GJT", and "Mellow Blues". CD

Hank Jones on piano, John Patitucci on bass and Omar Hakim on drums. CD

The title's a wonderful one – given the warmth and great spirit of this legendary trio – a near-perfect assemblage of the talents of Hank Jones on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Tony Williams on drums! Both Carter and Williams help Hank to hit the hipper side of his talents for the 70s – and together, they work as one – with a well-rounded, well-crafted style that's a great testament to the group's strong appeal at the time. Titles include "Freedom Jazz Dance", "A Child Is Born", "Mr PC", "All Blues", and "Doom". CD

A bit of a change for The Great Jazz Trio, but a great one too – given that Buster Williams is on bass here, instead of the usual Ron Carter – working with drummer Tony Williams and pianist Hank Jones to really make things sparkle! Buster's bass is always a treat, and this album's no exception – a set that's filled with some surprisingly soulful moments on the bottom, which really seems to push the group nicely on the longer tracks in the set. Jones sounds a bit different here than before – in a good way – and titles include versions of "Love For Sale", "Secret Love", "Autumn Leaves", and "Someone To Watch Over Me". CD

One of a number of late 70s milestones from the Great Jazz Trio – that sublime grouping of Hank Jones on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Tony Williams on drums! Like the rest of their gems from the time, the album's got this simple, subtle brilliance – a way of approaching piano trio material that was quite fresh for the time – different than Jones might have sounded the decade before, and clearly influenced by the huge growth of the format in Japan – the market for which the album was originally produced. Carter really shines on the record – reminding us of his incredible ability to act as both a soloist and a rhythmatist – and Tony Williams is a great here as he is on the Herbie Hancock trio dates of the time. Titles include "Wave", "Milestones", "Mr Biko", and "Eighty One". CD

A slightly different lineup than usual for the Great Jazz Trio – but a great one too, and proof that the group had way more to offer than just familiar trio grooving! This time around, Eddie Gomez is on bass – making for a wonderfully full, rich sound in the rhythms – a perfect complement for the sly drumming of Al Foster – who adds an edge to the record that you don't always get on other sessions from the group. And Hank Jones really seems to pick up this edge in his acoustic piano playing – and then pushes it even further on his work on Fender Rhodes, which appears on a few of the album's best tracks. All these changes make for a nicely compelling record – one that's got a bit more of a soulful bottom than you might expect – and titles include "Phasar", "Pauletta", "Moreover", "My Cherie Amour", and "Another World". CD

A wonderful return to form for the Great Jazz Trio of Hank Jones, Richard Davis, and Elvin Jones – a recent session, but one recorded with the warmth and imagination of their best 70s Japanese sets! The album's done in the ultra-high fidelity style of the 88's label – and features the group stretching out in some wonderful readings of standards that include "Long Ago & Far Away", "Caravan", "Softly As In A Morning Sunrise", "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To", and "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes". CD

A wonderful return to form for the Great Jazz Trio of Hank Jones, Richard Davis, and Elvin Jones – a recent session, but one recorded with the warmth and imagination of their best 70s Japanese sets! The album's done in the ultra-high fidelity style of the 88's label – and features the group stretching out in some wonderful readings of standards that include "Long Ago & Far Away", "Caravan", "Softly As In A Morning Sunrise", "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To", and "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes". CD

Notable sidemen include John Scofield, Wallace Roney, Randy Brecker, Jerry Bergonzi, and Franco Ambrosetti. CD

An unusual British jazz group gets even more unusual – with a sound that's even more mindblowing than some of their better-known records! The combo's headed by pianist John Mayer, who cut two fantastic Indo Jazz Fusions with reedman Joe Harriott in the late 60s – working here on an unreleased studio session from a few years later – with stunning guest work on harmonica from the great Larry Adler! At the core are the familiar Indo Jazz Fusions sounds – reeds from Stan Sulzmann on alto and flute, plus sitar from Clem Alford, guitar from Jim Moyes, bass from Jeff Clyne, drums from John Marshall, and tablas from Krishav Sathe – players who continue that jazz-meets-Indian spirit at the start of the set – then step back slightly on the Eastern tip from track two onwards – as Adler comes in with these amazingly eerie harmonica lines – a very strange but compelling blend with the energy of the rest of the group, and quite different than any of Larry's better-known recordings from earlier years. Once things get going, the mix of harmonica and Indian modes really steps up – a really cool mix, with lots of modal energy – on titles that include "Raga Malika", "Serenade", "Raga Megha", "Summertime", and "Sarabande". CD

One of the funkiest records ever from Akira Ishikawa and his Count Buffalos band – a hip little groover that stands head to head with some of the best funky jazz from the US and Europe of the time! Despite Akira's earthy look on the cover, the record's got a relatively electric feel overall – thanks to some sweet electric piano from Hiromasa Suzuki and organ from Norio Maeda – both of whom work together on most numbers, with a great sense of flow between the keyboards! The rhythms have some Latin and African percussion added on the bottom, which gives the grooves a nicely chunky feel – and some cuts have some sharp-edged tenor solos from Takeru Muraoka, who further deepens the soul of the set. The album's a really tremendous one through and through – as righteous as a lost American funky fusion set from the early 70s – and titles include "African Deer", "Sunrise", "Sandstorm", "Blue Soul", "Bakishinba", and "Mirage". LP, Vinyl record album

A Pablo Records release – but featuring material that was originally destined for Verve Records in the 50s – a rare performance in Japan by the Jazz At The Philharmonic! The double-length set is overflowing with goodness, all recorded in the open-ended, warm-hearted style that Norman Granz brought to these classic performances! The album starts with an extended set by the JATP All-Stars – a group that features Roy Eldridge and Charlie Shavers on trumpets, Willie Smith and Benny Carter on alto, Bill Harris on trombone, and Ben Webster and Flip Philips on tenors – with rhythm from the combo of Oscar Peterson on piano, Herb Ellis on guitar, Ray Brown on bass, and JC Heard on drums. JATP titles include a "Ballad Medley", "Tokyo Blues", and "Cotton Tail". The set then features six more tracks by the Oscar Peterson Trio – including "Sushi Blues" and "Up" – and another four by the Gene Krupa Trio – including "Don't Be That Way", and "Cocktails For Two". The set then ends with a long set by Ella Fitzgerald with a quartet – on titles that include "Smooth Sailin", "How High The Moon", "Body & Soul", "Lady Be Good", and "My Funny Valentine" – plus a reading of "Perdido" with the whole JATP group. LP, Vinyl record album

Part of a 4 volume set, all recorded on one night in Denmark. The set is a Norm Granz JATP transplantation to the European stage, and features the sort of group you'd imagine, with stars like Coleman Hawkins, Don Byas, Benny Carter & Roy Eldridge. Unlike the other volumes in the set, where the group stretches out and riffs over side long takes on standards, this one is more concise, with less jamming (but no less cookin') versions of "These Foolish Things", "The Nearness of You", "You Go To My Head" and 4 more. LP, Vinyl record album

With Charlie Parker and Willie Smith on alto; Charlie Ventura and Lester Young on tenor; Al Killian, Dizzy Gillespie, and Howard McGhee on trumpet; Arnold Ross and Mel Powell on piano, Billy Hadnott on bass, and Lee Young on drum. 7-inch, Vinyl record

Heavy swinging material from Krupa – working here in a loud and frenetic trio format, with Teddy Napoleon on piano and Charlie Ventura on tenor. Gene's working all the bass himself on the drums, and the album's got that pyrotechnic feel of the best JATP sets. Titles include "Dark Eyes", "Idaho", "Body & Soul", and "The Man I Love". LP, Vinyl record album

A well-done set, and one that stretches from the pre-Verve years of these groupings, to the big run when they were starting to really shine on record! The first half features mid 40s material – with performances from Illinois Jacquet, Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Flip Phillips, and Jack McVea on tenors – plus Willie Smith on alto, Buck Clayton and Shorty Sherock on trumpets, JJ Johnson on trombone, Nat King Cole on piano, and Les Paul on guitar. The second half features early 50s material, including three long ballad medley tracks – with performances from Benny Carter and Willie Smith on altos, Oscar Peterson on piano, Dizzy Gillespie and Roy Eldridge on trumpets, and Ben Webster, Lester Young, and Flip Phillips on tenors! LP, Vinyl record album

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

... LP, Vinyl record album

... CD

A seminal album – a late 60s classic meeting of the brain trust of the avant garde jazz scene in New York, recorded for the young JCOA label – and put forth as one of their early attempts to prove that musicians could be in charge of the means of production! Michael Mantler provided the core composition, and directs the group – but the lineup is a who's who of forces who'd record for ESP, Impulse, and other labels – with bold solos from Don Cherry on cornet, Gato Barbieri on tenor, Larry Coryell on guitar, Roswell Rudd on trombone, Cecil Taylor on piano, and Pharoah Sanders on tenor – in a larger lineup of players who also include Steve Marcus, Andrew Cyrille, Reggie Workman, Alan Silva, Carla Bley, Beaver Harris, Charles Davis, Robert Northern, Kent Carter, and many other key avant musicians! Titles include "Communications 8", "Communications 9", "Communications 10", and "Communications 11".' CD

Primo work by one of the greatest Brit jazz groups of the 50s – the legendary Jazz Couriers, and their smoking frontline of Tubby Hayes and Ronnie Scott on tenor sax! The pair have a way of coming together that's simply beautiful – not the kind of "battle" you might have gotten from American tenorists a few years before – and instead, a way of collaborating on long-spun, beautifully-blown tracks that really expand under the two voices of the tenors – in ways that other hardbop groups might with just a sax and trumpet. Part of the group's success is their great rhythm section too – Terry Shannon on piano, Jeff Clyne on bass, and Billy Eyden on drums – a trio who really kick things into gear wonderfully on this previously-unissued live date! The material was recorded at a restaurant gig – nice and intimate, but with very good sound – so much so that the record is very much on a par with the group's famous studio sides of the time. Tubby Hayes also plays a bit of vibes on the record – and titles include "For All We Know", "Embers", "Tippin", and "Cherokee/The Theme". CD

A really cool issue of this always-great magazine – one that offers up a special look at European jazz singers from the postwar years onwards – with key recordings for dozens of artists, laid out in Japanese discography style! That means that the core text is Japanese, but you'll find album covers and other details in English to really point you in the right direction – to help you discover rare work by singers who include familiar names like Georgie Fame, Sathima Bea Benjamin, Norma Winstone, and others – mixed with dozens of others who are equally great, but much more obscure! There's other features in the mix too – and the book-style issue is 216 pages, with black and white images, and some in color. Book

An issue that definitely delivers on its promise of great hard bop records – as it offers up a visual discography of classic albums in the format – plenty of Blue Note gems, plus some overlooked records too – all with images of the covers in black and white, details in English, and reviews in Japanese! The issue has a short but beautiful color section at the start – then runs through its long hardbop feature, along with additional articles on key players in Japanese – plus other jazz columns and reviews, again in Japanese – but illustrated with black and white images throughout. 240 pages, squarebound, with black and white and color images. Book

There's a big discography of postwar jazz from the west coast scene inside – including classic records like the Gerry Mulligan 10" LP pictured on the cover, and lots more unusual and obscure albums too! The issue serves things up in Japanese "disc guide" format – with a small image of the record covers, then other details in English, and more in Japanese – with listings of key records, prefaced by a cool color section too. The rest of the issue follows with more jazz features too – all with black and white images and photos next to text in Japanese – with a total of 216 pages, in a book-styled cover. Book

This special issue of Jazz Critique looks at two key tenor players of the postwar years – Blue Note legend Hank Mobley, and the great Dexter Gordon, who moved from early fame on the LA scene to a key career stretch overseas! The issue offers up discographies of both players – with dozens of important sessions, both as leaders and sidemen – complete with images of the covers and details of the records in English – and lots more text in Japanese, which you can likely read using Google translate. There's lots more images throughout the issue – a color section at the start, and lots more enticing ones throughout the well-stuffed 208 pages within! Book

That's the great bassist Charles Mingus on the cover – and this issue of Jazz Critique acts as a mini-discography of some of his greatest recording sessions – with listings of dozens of key albums, including sideman sessions, rare live material, and other gems that work together to showcase some of the most acclaimed moments of Mingus on records! As with other issues, the text is mostly in Japanese – but the discography has images of record covers and other details in English – and the issue then moves into a range of other jazz-based features too, in a 200 page, book-styled issue with black and white images throughout. Book

The cover image features a classic quartet date from trumpeter Blue Mitchell – and the issue looks at important records in a similar format – all of which feature either a saxophonist, trumpeter, or trombonist with a rhythm trio for backing! The issue follows the Jazz Critique mode and has a discography of nearly 100 albums – with album cover art and other text in English, and longer reviews on Japanese – all as part of this issue that has other Japanese articles on jazz topics both past and present, all graced with very nice black and white photos! 200 pages, book-style format, and a great layout and design. Book

This issue looks at jazz singers from the postwar years onwards – starting with the generation of Jennie Smith, who's pictured on the cover – and running up through key hip vocalists well into the 21st Century! The issue follows previous ones in that it has a discography of the artists within – with a few key albums of dozens of singers, presented with a black and white image of the album cover, and other details in English – a huge rundown of vocalists, with a lot of albums to discover! And as always, there's other features too – a cool color section at the start, jazz reviews and other news, in a total of 216 pages with black and white images throughout. Book

A very unusual issue of this long-running jazz magazine – one that offers up a special selection of 100 key albums that boast a two-horn quintet – that is, a five piece group with a trumpet and a sax player in the lineup! As with other issues, this one begins with a full color section that features full color thumbnails of all the albums featured, then moves into a black and white section that offers up more details – including players, labels, dates, titles, and other information in English – plus a short review in Japanese, which you can read using Google translate on your phone. The artists range nicely – albums run from 50s classics on Blue Note through 70s Japanese masterpieces, to some more contemporary albums – and there's also other features and reviews too – in a book-style package, 200 pages, with black and white images throughout. Book

This issue's got a special feature on unusual and noteworthy jazz record covers – served up by a host of different critics, who each pick three different records that are represented by small black and white images, along with label, artist, and title in English – and a longer essay in Japanese! As with other issues, there's a mix of visual information that will help you out if you're not a reader of Japanese – and these days, you can often use a translation program through your phone's camera to read bits that catch your eye. There's a small beautiful section of color images at the start – including covers for the Days of Delight label series – and the magazine also features listings for new albums too, all from a Japanese perspective. 184 pages, and bound like a paperback book. Book

... Book

... Book

Killer Jazz Crusaders material – exactly the kind of record that really had the group coming into their own in the second half of the 60s – finding a rich new groove that few other combos could match! The record captures the group at a perfect time – a point when they were breaking past the tighter shorter formula of earlier material, and moving into a slightly more spiritual conception – yet one that still had a hard swing and a deeply soulful vibe! The record's a prime example of the never-ending energy held by the band – near-perfect on every track, and played with a sense of creative expression that easily puts them at the top of the soul jazz scene in the late 60s! Titles include "Night Theme", "Air Waves", "Uh Huh", "Watts Happening", and "Ice Water". CD

Nice work from this funky jazz combo – a group who owe plenty to the sound of 60s soul jazz on Prestige and Verve Records, but who also do plenty to make their own mark as well! The album's issued on the same label as the Haggis Horns, and these guys definitely use strong interplay between the horns to make their mark – the trumpet of Nick Malcolm and tenor of Jake McMurchie, set out over some nice grooves from keyboardist George Cooper – who plays piano, organ, and Wurlitzer – plus a bit of vibes as well! There's vocals on one track from Doc Brown – the cut "Rolling On A High" – and all others are instrumental, and include "The Long Haul", "Chasing Fantasies", "Snakebite Playfight", "Net Zero", and "Enigma" – which was recorded live in Paris. CD

Nice work from this funky jazz combo – a group who owe plenty to the sound of 60s soul jazz on Prestige and Verve Records, but who also do plenty to make their own mark as well! The album's issued on the same label as the Haggis Horns, and these guys definitely use strong interplay between the horns to make their mark – the trumpet of Nick Malcolm and tenor of Jake McMurchie, set out over some nice grooves from keyboardist George Cooper – who plays piano, organ, and Wurlitzer – plus a bit of vibes as well! There's vocals on one track from Doc Brown – the cut "Rolling On A High" – and all others are instrumental, and include "The Long Haul", "Chasing Fantasies", "Snakebite Playfight", "Net Zero", and "Enigma" – which was recorded live in Paris. LP, Vinyl record album

Forget the hokey pun in the title, as the album's a sharp-edged set that has way more going on than that bad wit might imply – a brilliant record that has the same sort of post-loft vibe as some of the best Black Saint/Soul Note sessions from the time! The group here features players who worked on many of those records too – the mighty Billy Bang on violin, sounding incredible, and so different than generations of others touching that instrument in jazz – sharp, soulful, and almost "blown" more like a saxophone! Frank Lowe's tenor follows with a similarly bold voice – and the group features very urgent work on bass from Rafael Garrett and drums from Dennis Charles. Titles include great readings of Jackie McLean's "Little Melonae" and Ornette Coleman's "Lonely Woman" – plus the tracks "Loweology", "Ballad With One L", and "Blood On The Cross". LP, Vinyl record album

Features Gloria Morgan on vocals, Steve Jenson on trumpet, and Jeff Lindberg on trombone. LP, Vinyl record album

Curtis Fowlkes on trombone, Brad Jones on bass, Roy Nathanson on sax, EJ Rodriguez on percussion, Bill Ware on vibes & Jim Nolet on violin. CD

A surprising 90s set from The Jazz Passengers – the New York group who'd worked in many modes other than just the straight jazz you might guess from their name, but who here maybe take things back to basics, especially on some of the cuts that bring in vocals from famous guests who include Deborah Harry and Elvis Costello! In some ways, Harry is the core of the set – as she unlocks this great jazz-based side of her style, in a way that gives her voice a whole new level of expression – one that's surprisingly strong next to the instrumentation provided by Roy Nathanson, Curis Fowlkes, and the rest of the group. Elvis Costello sings moodily on the tune "Aubergine" – but most other vocal numbers feature Deborah Harry, and include "Pork Chop", "Lil Darlin", "Maybe I'm Lost", "Imitation Of A Kiss", "Ole", and "Angel Eyes". Harry and Costello duet on "Doncha Go Way Mad" – and the set also features a nice instrumental remake of the Nat Adderley tune "Jive Samba". CD

Some of the fiercest work we've ever heard from this legendary Czech fusion outfit – a previously-unreleased live performance from 1980, and one that may well blow away some of their classic studio records from the 70s! The tunes are long, and have a sense of darkness that we're not sure we've heard this strongly before – as keyboardist Martin Kratochvil plays Fender Rhodes and moog to really set the stage for most tunes at the start – then opening the door to bolder work on guitar from Frantisek Francl. There's as much prog going on here as jazz – and the lean quartet setting allows for plenty of longspun work from keys and guitar – on titles that include "Pecet", "Pralesni Pisen", "Trhanec", "Az Se Ucho Utrhne", and "Madona". CD

Some of the fiercest work we've ever heard from this legendary Czech fusion outfit – a previously-unreleased live performance from 1980, and one that may well blow away some of their classic studio records from the 70s! The tunes are long, and have a sense of darkness that we're not sure we've heard this strongly before – as keyboardist Martin Kratochvil plays Fender Rhodes and moog to really set the stage for most tunes at the start – then opening the door to bolder work on guitar from Frantisek Francl. There's as much prog going on here as jazz – and the lean quartet setting allows for plenty of longspun work from keys and guitar – on titles that include "Pecet", "Pralesni Pisen", "Trhanec", "Az Se Ucho Utrhne", and "Madona". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the hippest jazz groups going in Czechoslovakia during the 70s – the mighty Jazz Q, a cool fusion combo who really knew how to groove! The group's lineup includes a lot of electric keyboards and guitars – and while some tracks have them jamming out in a really rock-inspired way, there's some other tunes that open up with a great jazzy sound. Side two of the album kicks off with an amazing modal groover called "The Wizard" – a cut that builds and builds on riffs of bass, conga, and keyboards – before soaring into a sweet female lead vocal that sounds like Lani Hall at her best! Other tracks include "Lost Soul", "Starbird", "From Dark To Light", and "Epilog". CD features two bonus tracks – "Mlyn" and "Konstelace". CD

A great collaboration from two fantastic players – alto genius Bobby Watson and percussionist Ray Mantilla – both coming together here in a style that's even more than the sum of their mighty parts! The group has lots of Watson elements at the core – bass from Curtis Lundy, drums from Victor Lewis, and piano from Ronnie Mathews – but the presence of Mantilla's congas really changes up the groove, and the trumpet of Jack Walrath further emphasizes some Latin currents, while also linking up to the soulful energy of Watson's horn! Tracks are penned by all members of the group – and the record's overflowing with the sense of good spirit and boundless energy we always love from Bobby's dates as a leader. Titles include "Karita", "Chili Plaza Suite", "Ella Dunham", "Los Apolypticanos", "Know One Has To Know", and "River Jordan". CD

Bold, beautiful music from the Jazz Tribe of Bobby Watson and Ray Mantilla – proof that the partnership first forged years back can still be the source of some wonderfully soulful music! The album's one of the best we've heard from Bobby in years – almost a return to the simple, expressive quality of his albums as a leader back in the 80s! Part of the album's strength is the bass work of Curtis Lundy, whose presence on a record always seems to add something special – and other group members are great too, and include Jack Walrath on trumpet, Xavier Davis on piano, and Victor Lewis on drums – all nice and tight, yet never uptight, next to the alto sax of Watson and percussion of Mantilla. Tracks include many originals by the group – with titles that include "Pecado Primero", "Hello Albert", "Gesualdo's Tango", "Everlasting", "Eeeyyeess", "El Color De Mi Rythmo", and "Temples Of Gold". CD

An amazing record from Kyoto Jazz Massive – and about time, too! The Japanese collective has been bubbling under for years – doing some of the most groundbreaking production, remix, and single work of the current Japanese scene – and this album is really their first true full-length, a massive set of tracks with a soulful approach we never knew they had! The whole thing's amazing from the word "go" (which actually isn't the first word on the album!) – and the first few tracks are especially strong, all soulful numbers with vocals by guest singers that include Vanessa Freeman, Victor Davies, and Maiya James. After that burst, the album takes off instrumentally – stretching for the sky in a jazz-infused blend of beats and keyboards, occasional other instrumentation creeping into the mix at just the right moments. Titles include "The Dawn Introduction", "The Brightness Of These Days", "Mind Expansions", "Stargazer", "Eclipse", "Between The Lights", "Substream", "Shine", "ME Outroduction", and "Behind The Shadow". CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

... 78 RPM, Vinyl record

... LP, Vinyl record album

A wonderful set from this mighty ensemble – a record that opens up immediately in a range of complex colors and tones, yet all with a quality that still manages to swing throughout! That balance is part of the real strengths of pianist/arranger David Matthews at this point in his career – able to draw on a few decades' worth of innovation in big band material, yet all without hitting you over the head with it – almost a return to the more organic shifts of sounds you'd get in a 50s arranger like Ralph Burns. The players are all great – and include Randy Brecker and Byron Stripling on trumpet, George Young and Chris Hunter on saxes, and Danny Gottlieb on drums – and titles include "Doxy", "Spanish Blue", "Sir Duke", "One Black Orchid", and a great take on Duke Jordan's "No Problem". CD

A standard-setting record from the Manhattan Jazz Quintet – that strong return to acoustic modes that made the combo such a breath of fresh air in the 80s – at a time when so few jazz groups were content to just focus on doing their thing! The head genius here is pianist David Matthews – whose arrangements are as dynamic as you'd hear for a large ensemble, yet performed with razor-sharp energy by Lew Soloff on trumpet, George Young on tenor, Charnett Moffett on bass, and Steve Gadd on drums – all players who get plenty of individual moments in the spotlight on the album's longer tracks. Titles include "Jordu", "Recado Bossa Nova", "Mood Piece", and "Autumn Leaves". CD

The "voice" here is great – a strong assemblage of the trumpet of Lew Soloff, tenor of George Young, piano of David Matthews, bass of Charnett Moffett, and drums of Victor Lewis! Lewis is an especially nice addition to the mix – a fresh Manhattan Jazz Quintet drummer for the 90s, and one who really finds a great way to open up Matthews' arrangements – bringing new energy to the group as both Soloff and Young spin out these really magical solos! Titles are all Matthews originals – and include "Kickin", "Freeway", "Stair Steps", "Dorian Mood", and "Something Cubano". CD

A great little record, filled with loads of cross-cultural influences that make for one of the most exotic Herbie Mann albums of the 60s! The group's billed as the Afro-Jazz Sextet– but has a strong Latin vibe as well – a bit of an echo of the experiments Herbie Mann did with Latin jazz previously on labels like Verve and United Artists – but given a bit more of the Atlantic-era punch here as well! The group features some wonderful vibes from John Rae – whose tones ring out beautifully on some of the best numbers – plus a mix of Latin and African-styled percussion from Ray Barretto, Olatunjii, and Ray Mantilla – who really make the record cook. A few tunes feature an added trumpet group, and the rest are mostly just flute and percussion – on titles that include "St Thomas", "Walkin", "Uhuru", "High Life", and "Sawa Sawa De". LP, Vinyl record album

Tracks include "Inaki's Decision", "Dali", "Braggin' In Brass", "Limbo Jazz", "Symphony In Riffs", and "Spring Yaounde". 16 tracks total. CD

A very apt title – as Jackie McLean sits in for a soulful session with the Great Jazz Trio of Hank Jones, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams – all "old bottles" at this point in their career, but working together beautifully to brew some very mellow "new wine"! The album's easily one of the best in the trio's run of the time – as Jackie's alto sax really helps flesh things out a bit more than usual – and moves the album past the trio sound of their other records. McLean gets plenty of space to do his thing on the longer tracks – and the piano of Jones, bass of Carter, and drums of Williams have a solid, soulful approach that's really wonderful. Titles include 2 McLean originals titled "Appointment In Ghana Again" and "Little Melonae Again", both remakes of older tunes – plus "Confirmation", "Bein Green", and "Round Midnight". CD

DO Misiani and his Shirati Jazz band at their 70s peak – wiry, catchy guitars and passionate vocals melding in hypnotic songs and performances that came to define the Kenyan benga sound in the 70s! Misiani and Shirati Jazz were the first stars of the style, and this collection from Sterns makes it clear why the recordings made such an impact – and the sound quality is terrific, too. Includes "Giko Piny", "Wang Ni To Iringo", "LK The Pretty", "Mary: Part 1", "Mary: Part 2", "Jaa", "Safari Ya Garissa", "Sheroline", "Christina Jaber" and more. CD

A cool tribute to the French jazz soundtrack generation of the late 50s – played here by an equally cool combo from Japan! The Modern Jazz Playboys have a sound here that definitely lives up to their name – a slinky, sexy groove that's perfect for the album's selection of tunes from French New Wave films – a set that features some famous Miles Davis and Art Blakey soundtrack numbers, but which also includes some even better lesser-known gems! Instrumentation is spare at all the right moments, and full at other key parts – and titles include "Estate Violenta", "Clue #9", "Un Temoin Dans La Ville", "Les Loups Dans La Bergerie", "Blues De Memphis", "Cora", "Black Nightgown", "Le Grisbi", and "Black March". CD

Titles include "Regret", "Precious Joy", "Blues In H", "Blues In C Minor", "Rise Up In The Morning", and "Blues In B Flat". LP, Vinyl record album

A great early 60s set from Modern Jazz Quartet! This one marked the then growing sophistication in the sound of the Modern Jazz Quartet – a concept album based on themes and characters from the Italian tradition of commedia dell'arte. The music is served up in gentle sound poems that have a haunting, timeless sort of feel – very spare and melancholy – with lots of tragic overtones, and hardly the comedic sound you'd expect from the title! Diahann Carroll sings on the track "La Cantatrice" – and other numbers include "Spanish Steps", "Columbine", "Piazza Navona", and "Harlequin". CD

Even at this early point in their career, the Modern Jazz Quartet were plenty proud of their relation to and reception in Paris – almost rubbing their international fame in the faces of other American combos with the title and cover of this record! The set's still got the quartet at their crisp early best – before any of the sometimes too academic or too serious tones of later sides – and tracks are mostly shortish, ringing out with especially nice vibes from Milt Jackson. Titles include an early reading of the title cut "Concorde", plus an extended "Gershwin Medley", and the tracks "All Of You", "I'll Remember April", "Softly As In A Morning Sunrise", and "Ralph's New Blues". LP, Vinyl record album

A stone classic from the Modern Jazz Quartet – recorded back when the group still featured Kenny Clarke in its membership, but already with some of the more serious, somber tones that would mark the combo's more famous years! Tracks here are from a variety of sessions in 1953, 1954, and 1955 – and trace an evolution of the MJQ style from initial more composed renditions of bop and modern jazz, to some of the more ambitious colors and tones of the Lewis-penned songbook. Titles include longish readings of "Django" and "La Ronde Suite", plus "Milano", "But Not For Me", "The Queen's Fancy", and "Delaunay's Dilemma". CD

A stone classic from the Modern Jazz Quartet – recorded back when the group still featured Kenny Clarke in its membership, but already with some of the more serious, somber tones that would mark the combo's more famous years! Tracks here are from a variety of sessions in 1953, 1954, and 1955 – and trace an evolution of the MJQ style from initial more composed renditions of bop and modern jazz, to some of the more ambitious colors and tones of the Lewis-penned songbook. Titles include longish readings of "Django" and "La Ronde Suite", plus "Milano", "But Not For Me", "The Queen's Fancy", and "Delaunay's Dilemma". CD

... LP, Vinyl record album